134. Lastly, the friendships of the poor are generally better than those of the rich, Cic. Lact. 15, § 53. and often the rich are without friends, whilst the poor have many. For true friendship cannot exist where there is lying flattery. Many try fawningly to please the rich, but no one cares to make pretence to a poor man. Whatsoever is stated to a poor man is true, his friendship is free from envy.